Syracuse Orange Football, Week 5: Final Score, Facts, Tidbits, Reactions, Opinions

The Syracuse University football program suffered a heart-breaking Big East Conference loss Saturday to rival Rutgers University, 19-16, at the Carrier Dome. The Orange (3-2) blew a 10-point, fourth quarter lead and lost the game in double overtime after Scarlet Knights' senior kicker San San Te nailed a 47-yard field goal and SU senior tailback Antwon Bailey fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Rutgers (3-1), on the game's final possession.

The Syracuse football schedule features the Orange playing on the road next Saturday at Tulane University (8 p.m.). However, before SU fans move onto Week 6 lets give some facts, tidbits, reactions and opinions on the Orange's loss to Rutgers.

Facts:

• Coming into the contest, there was a lot of talk about Syracuse stopping Rutgers' top wide receiver junior Mohamed Sanu. However, early on it was the RU fullback Joe Martinek who had three catches for 41 yards. Scarlet Knights junior Mark Harrison was the first RU wide receiver to catch a pass and it came on a 3-and-10, which was converted about midway through the first quarter. Sanu, who finished the game with a season-low seven catches for 65 yards, caught his first pass with about two minutes to go in the first. Martinek finished with five catches for 46 yards. -- "I was just trying to stay calm with a calm mind," said Sanu, "play with poise and just do what I was coached to do."
• With 7:19 to play in the first half, Rutgers had 139 total yards compared to Syracuse's 42. The Orange ended the first half with just two first downs and 88 totals yards, but still, somehow, led 7-3. Syracuse compiled 15 by game's end. -- "They did a great job with their game plan against us," said Syracuse senior quarterback Ryan Nassib. "They did a good job sending guys. They have a fast defense and they did a good job getting after us."
  
• At halftime, both teams combined to rush for 1.89 yards per carry (29 carries for 55 yards). By the end of the game, Syracuse finished with an average carry of 3.9, while Rutgers was dreadful 0.1.
  
• After three quarters, both teams had combined for seven turnovers. Out of those seven turnovers, the only points to be scored was on Ri'Shard Anderson's 70-yard TD that came on the hit by freshman linebacker Dyshawn Davis, who leveled RU's redshirt freshman running back Jawan Jamison, who coughed up the ball on the game's third play. By the end of the game, there were a total of nine turnovers and still Anderson's TD was the only score off them.
• SU sophomore kicker Ross Krautman finished the contest 1-of-3 on field goal attempts, including a missed extra point. Meanwhile, RU senior kicker San San Te was no better going 4-of-7, however, he did make the game-winner from 47 yards. Either way the kickers were terrible on Saturday.
  

Tidbits:

• Despite getting free tickets to Saturday's contest, with just two minutes before kick off, the Rutgers "student section" (located in the corner of end zone underneath the scoreboard) was about the same as the Syracuse student section (located on the opposite side of the field). By the time the first quarter was ending, the SU student section was full. The announced attendance to Saturday's game was 42,152.
  
• The "ohhhhhh" and then, "ahhhhhh", and then, "blahhhhhhh!" by the crowd, when Davis smoked RU's Jamison, who fumbled the ball, which was picked up Anderson, who ran 70 yards for the first half's only touchdown was fun. -- "During practice," said Davis after the game, "we became familiar with the right guard pulling to the back side. Coach Conley and Coach Shafer did a good job coaching me so I could take a good angle. As soon as the guard pulled, I hit the hole and I knew I was clean. I knew I had to make a big play."

Opinions:

• The first half of Saturday's game was torture to watch. Not because there was very little offense on both sides of the ball, but it was the slowest moving half of football I've probably ever witnessed. There were multiple replays, players on the field because of injury which led to a half that lasted just under two hours (kickoff was around noon, while the half ended just before two o'clock). By the end of fourth quarter the game was almost four hours long.
• Senior running back Antwon Bailey's ball control issues are, now, an issue. It's easy to try and sweep this type of thing under the rug, especially when Bailey is SU's only feature back and is running well -- Saturday he compiled his third 100-yard performance of the season -- but, to lose the ball in that situation is unacceptable. -- "I thought I was down," said Bailey about his overtime fumble, "but at the end of the day, I need to hang onto the ball. That's all on me."
  
• Davis' hit on Jamison, who fumbled because of the hit, was the biggest hit I've seen in football this year. That includes the NFL and high school. Boy was that a shot. (P.S., Davis had the game of his life with 3.5 solo tackles and two sacks. If Davis can come a long with Cameron Lynch, this defensive unit is going to be very strong next season.) -- "I was proud of them," said Syracuse head coach Doug Marrone, who later admitted that he was concerned about the D before the game."I thought, defensively, they were able to get to the quarterback. They did some nice things out there."
  
• Senior quarterback Ryan Nassib, who finished 14-of-31 for 164 yards and three interceptions (all in the fourth quarter), played his worst game of the 2011 season. Nassib had a hard time with Rutgers all out blitzes and couldn't get into a rhythm. -- "I was very disappointing," said Nassib about his play down the stretch. "Any loss is disappointing. We can't win a game when I throw three interceptions."
• It's really hard to put SU's loss to Rutgers into words. There was so much that happened or could have happened in the game, which would have led to a Syracuse victory (or rout) but it didn't. In the end, Rutgers hung tough and made the plays to win. -- "We lost a football game, and they're a good football team," said Marrone. "I told our kids that they played hard, they didn't execute well. We have to hold our head up even though we're upset and disappointed in ourselves. When you lose a football game, you have to come back and practice extremely hard and get ready to get back on the right path after we made the corrections."

SB Nation New York blogged live from the Carrier Dome Saturday. Check back for more in-game updates about Syracuse vs. Rutgers or follow along at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Rutgers Football: Gary Nova Leads Scarlet Knights To 19-16 Victory Over Syracuse

Midway through the third quarter and trailing 13-3 against host Syracuse University Saturday afternoon, the Rutgers University football program was looking for a spark. With the offense sputtering under its starting quarterback, sophomore Chas Dodd, head coach Greg Schiano made a change to true freshman Gary Nova.

"I thought Chad (Dodd) was a little out of sync today," said Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano. "(Offensive coordinator) Frank (Cignetti) and I decided to give Gary a chance. Chas didn't look like himself."

In just a quarter and a half (and a few extra possession because of double overtime), Nova went 13-of-21 with 118 yards and tossed a game-tying touchdown to junior wide receiver Mohamed Sanu with 2:09 remaining in regulation. During Rutgers' first possession in OT, Nova completed a nine yard pass to Sanu and a four-yarder to fullback senior Joe Martinek. The two completions helped setup senior kicker San San Te for a 27-yard field goal, which sent the game into double overtime. A few plays later, San Te would nail a 47-yard field goal, which ended up being the game winner after Syracuse's senior tailback Antwon Bailey fumbled on the Orange's second play in double OT.

There were times in the game where Nova looked awful -- twice the freshman was in the grasp of a sack, but forced a throw that could have led to a fumble or did lead to an intentional grounding; and a few delay of game penalties that came because of lack of communication or crowd noise -- but in the end, Nova got the job done and Rutgers escaped Syracuse with a come-from-behind victory thanks to its true freshman, and possible future leader.

"That game was so crazy," said Schiano."We had some management issues, including burning timeouts and having delay of games. You expect that, but don't hope for it with a rookie quarterback. He obviously needs to work very hard on that if he wants to be in there."

Schiano did say he'll need to look at the tape to decided whether Nova or Dodd will start next week against visiting Pittsburgh.

Game recaps:

• 1st quarter
• Halftime
• 3rd quarter
• 4th quarter
• Overtime

SB Nation New York is blogged live from the Carrier Dome Saturday. Check back for more in-game updates about Syracuse vs. Rutgers or follow along at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Final Score: Rutgers 19, Syracuse 16 (2OT)

A 47-yard field goal by Rutgers University senior kicker San San Te Saturday in double overtime helped the Scarlet Knights down Syracuse University, 19-16, in a Big East Conference game at the Carrier Dome. San Te, who had missed three field goals earlier in the game including a possible game-winner with 11 seconds remaining in regulation, helped Rutgers (3-1) come back from a 10-point, fourth-quarter disadvantage and snap a two-game losing streak to Syracuse (3-2).

Rutgers cemented the victory after Syracuse's senior tailback Antwon Bailey fumbled the ball, which was forced by RU senior Edmond Laryea, on the Orange's second play of double overtime. The ball was recovered by Scarlet Knights' sophomore linebacker Jamal Merrell.

In the first overtime, SU marched to the Rutgers' one-yard line, but was forced to settle for a 19-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Ross Krautman, while the Scarlet Knights settled for a 27-yard field goal attempt on the game's next possession.

"It was an incredible effort," said Rutgers senior free safety David Rowe. "It's been what it always was... Keep choping and doing your job. That's what they (coaches) said and that's what we did."

Game recaps:

• 1st quarter
• Halftime
• 3rd quarter
• 4th quarter

SB Nation New York is blogged live from the Carrier Dome Saturday. Check back for more in-game updates about Syracuse vs. Rutgers or follow along at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Syracuse 13, Rutgers 13: Game Headed Into Overtime

A 46-yard attempted field goal by Rutgers University senior kicker San San Te was missed wide left with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, and the Big East Conference game between the Scarlet Knights and Syracuse University at the Carrier Dome is headed to overtime. This is already the third OT game played at the Carrier Dome this season.

Trailing 13-6, the Scarlet Knights tied the game at 13 with a 11-play, 46-yard drive that ended with a three-yard TD reception by Mohamed Sanu from true freshman quarterback Gary Nova. The extra point from senior kicker San San Te tied the game at 13 with 2:09 remaining in the game.

On Syracuse's second-to-last drive of the game, the Orange marched inside Rutgers territory, but senior quarterback Ryan Nassib was intercepted by junior linebacker Steve Beauharnais, who rumbled inside SU territory and help set up San Te's would-be, game-winning field goal.

Game recaps:

• 1st quarter
• Halftime
• 3rd quarter

SB Nation New York is blogged live from the Carrier Dome Saturday. Check back for more in-game updates about Syracuse vs. Rutgers or follow along at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Syracuse 13, Rutgers 3: End Of 3rd Quarter

A three-yard rushing touchdown by senior tailback Antwon Bailey has help the Syracuse University football program take a 13-3 lead over Rutgers University in a Big East Conference contest at the Carrier Dome. Bailey, who set up the TD with a 36-yard run on the drive's fifth play, capped off a six-play, 93-yard drive that came after SU's defense forced Rutgers to go three-and-out on its opening possession of the second half. SU's ensuing extra point by sophomore kicker Ross Krautman was blocked.

However, the third quarter had its wacky moments. The craziest came after Syracuse's defensive end Mikhail Marinovich sacked and forced a fumble from RU's true freshman quarterback Gary Nova, who has replaced starting quarterback Chas Dodd. The ball was scooped up by the Orange, who marched to the Scarlet Knight's one-yard line, but turned the ball over when senior quarterback Ryan Nassib's pass was tipped and picked off by RU's senior free safety David Rowe. Rowe had a chance to return the ball for a 100-yard TD, but Nassib slowed him down enough to be tackled at the Scarlet Knight's 28-yard line.

SB Nation New York is blogging live from the Carrier Dome. Check back for more in-game updates about Syracuse vs. Rutgers or follow along at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Halftime Score: Syracuse 7, Rutgers 3

A 28-yard field goal by Rutgers University senior kicker San San Te has helped the Scarlet Knights pull within four points, 7-3, of Syracuse University in a Big East Conference at the Carrier Dome. San Te, who has missed two field goals earlier in the game, capped a 11-play, 60-yard drive that ended with 7:25 to play in the half.

Syracuse scored the game's lone touchdown on the third play from scrimmage when freshman linebacker Dyshawn Davis laid a massive hit on RU redshirt running back Jawan Jamison, who coughed up the football, which was scooped up by junior cornerback Ri'Shard Anderson, who ran 70 yards into the end zone.

Here are some first half stats:

• SU quarterback Ryan Nassib: 6-of-12 for 63 yards and an interception.
  
• RU quarterback Chas Dodd: 13-of-27 for 157 yards.
  
• SU's leading receiver: senior tight end Nick Provo with three catches for 27 yards.
  
• RU's Mohamed Sanu: four catches for 55 yards.
  
• SU's leading rusher: senior tailback Antwon Bailey with seven carries and 20 yards.
  
• RU's leading rusher: redshirt freshman Jawan Jamison with 11 carries and 26 yards.
  
• SU's first downs: two (yes, that's right).
  
• RU's first downs: 13 (yes, that's also right.)
  

1st Quarter Recap

SB Nation New York is blogging live from the Carrier Dome. Check back for more in-game updates about Syracuse vs. Rutgers or follow along at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Syracuse 7, Rutgers 0: End Of 1st Quarter

A defensive touchdown by Syracuse University junior cornerback Ri'Shard Anderson has helped the Orange take an early 7-0 advantage over Rutgers University in a Big East Conference game at the Carrier Dome. On the third play of the game, a massive hit by SU's freshman linebacker Dyshawn Davis on RU redshirt freshman running back Jawan Jamison forced a fumble, which was scooped up by Anderson, who ran 70 yards for the score.

Jamison, who is making his first collegiate start for the Scarlet Knights (2-1), was decleated by Davis, who blasted past RU's offensive line on a 2nd-and-10. The hit by Davis came just two plays after, SU's senior running back Antwon Bailey fumbled on the game's first play from scrimmage.

The Orange (3-1) has yet to move the ball on offense, totaling only 33 yards and making only one first down. Rutgers finished with 102 total yards of offense, 88 from the air.

SB Nation New York is blogging live from the Carrier Dome. Check back for more in-game updates about Syracuse vs. Rutgers or follow along at SBNationNY and Jared_E_Smith.

Syracuse Vs. Rutgers: Scouting The Scarlet Knights

The Syracuse University football team has squeaked its way to a 3-1 start to the season. The Orange, who have earned their three wins by an average of 5.6 points, look to improve on that record Saturday when they open up Big East Conference at the Carrier Dome against rival Rutgers University (2-1). 

A victory would extend SU's winning streak over Rutgers to three games and help the Orange improve its record to 4-1 for the first time since 1999. However, it will not be easy as the Scarlet Knights are an improved team from last year.

Here's a quick look at the Orange's Week 4 opponent.

Opponent: Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

Head Coach: Greg Schiano.

In the midst of his 11th season as the Scarlet Knights head coach, Schiano is the longest tenured coach in the conference. Schiano resurrected the RU football program and has led them to multiple bowl game appearances, which was very uncommon before Schiano took over.

Offense: Sophomore quarterback Chas Dodd is the Scarlet Knights starting quarterback. Dodd, who took over the reigns of the offense last season after starter Tom Savage played poorly, has been very efficient in Rutgers first three games. So far, Dodd has completed 57.3 percent of his passes and is averaging 196 passing yards per game.

However, the biggest offensive threat is junior wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who leads the nation in catches per game (12) and is coming off a collegiate-best effort of 16 catches, 176 recieving yards and two touchdowns in a 38-26 victory over Ohio University last Saturday. Sanu will be yet another play-making wide receiver that the SU secondary will need to stop. Dodd will also target junior wide receiver Mark Harrison, who last year burst onto the scene (829 receiving yards with nine TDs) but has had a slow start to the 2011 season.

RU's running game has been led by redshirt freshman Jawan Jamison, who has a team-best 46 carries and is averaging 75.5 yards per game. But, look for touted true freshman Savon Huggings (22 carries and three TDs) to carry the ball when the Scarlet Knights get into the red zone.

Defense: Three-year starter Scott Vallone (6-fot-3, 275-pounds) is the leader of RU's defense. The defensive tackle knows how to create havoc behind the line of scrimmage (Vallone is averaging more than one tackle for a loss per game) and pairs well with junior Justin Francis (6-4, 275). The duo has helped the Rutgers defense collect 12 sacks and allow just 68.3 rushing yards per game.

Rutgers' top tackler is junior linebacker Khaseem Greene (25 tackles), while junior strong saftey Duron Harmon is averaging an interception per game.

Conclusion: The Orange enter Saturday's contest as 1 1/2-point favorites. Considering SU's heath issues on defense this is a fair line. However, despite the depth issues this is a game that SU should win. Expect another thriller in the Dome on Saturday.

Who will pull out the victory in this Big East rivalry? SB Nation New York will be examining the Syracuse vs. Rutgers game from now until Saturday night. Check back to this StoryStream for all your pregame, in-game and post-game information.

Syracuse Vs. Rutgers: Scouting The Orange

After edging Ohio University last Saturday, 38-26, the Rutgers University football program begins Big East Conference play this Saturday at Syracuse University in the Carrier Dome. Starting at noon on the Big East Network, the Scarlet Knights (2-1) will try and snap a two-game losing streak to the Orange (3-1), who last year defeated Rutgers, 13-10, and also won in 2009, 31-13.

A victory Saturday would help Rutgers improve to 3-1 overall and earn its first league-opening victory since 2006. A win would also help the Scarlet Knights reclaim New York-New Jersey bragging rights, which are very important to both programs. However, beating Syracuse will be a tough assignment for Rutgers, which has lost both of its league-opening contests to the Orange.

Here's a quick look at the Scarlet Knights Week 4 opponent:

Opponent: Syracuse University Orange.

Head Coach: Doug Marrone.

In just two years, Marrone, a Bronx, native, has done an outstanding job of resurrecting the Syracuse football program, which just three years ago finished 1-6 in the Big East Conference. With the help of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Marrone has installed a a pro-style offense that features many formations similar to the New Orleans Saints -- the NFL franchise that Marrone was offensive coordinator for before taking the job at SU.

Offense: If it wasn't for the University of West Virginia senior quarterback Geno Smith or the University of South Florida's sophomore quarterback B.J. Daniels, SU's senior quarterback Ryan Nassib would be the talk of the Big East. Orange faithful expected Nassib to progress in his second-to-last year at SU, but they didn't expect him to be completing a league-best 71.4 percent of his passes with nine TDs and just one interception by Week 4. Nassib has been targeting senior wide receivers Van Chew (Big East-best 15.5 yards per catch) and Alec Lemon (25 receptions), and senior tight end Nick Provo (15 catches and two TDs).

Meanwhile, senior running back Antwon Bailey hasn't gotten off to the quick start that many were hoping for, but he did total 114 yards in the victory against Toledo. The Orange offensive line has giving up just two sacks in its last two games.

Defense: Currently, five key defensive players -- senior defensive end Chandler Jones, strong safeties junior Shamarko Thomas and senior Orland Fisher, and sophomore corner backs Keon Lyn and Ri'Shard Anderson -- are either injured or banged up. Jones, which entered the season as the Orange's defensive-play maker, has missed SU's past three games and more than likely wont play Saturday, while Fisher and Anderson have also missed games.

This hasn't helped the Orange defense, especially the secondary, which has allowed 276 passing yards per game (11.9 yards per catch) and 27.8 points per game. SU has also compiled just eight sacks on the season.

Conclusion: The Scarlet Knights have the Orange, who are 1 1/2-point favorites, right were they want them. SU's offense is one of, if not the, most potent in the Big East. However, it's defense has been very bad. If Rutgers' offense can sustain some drives, keep SU's offense off the field and make some plays there's no doubt that the Scarlet Knights can beat the Orange and snap their two-game winning streak.

Who will pull out the victory in this Big East rivalry? SB Nation New York will be examining the Syracuse vs. Rutgers game from now until Saturday night. Check back to this StoryStream for all your pregame, in-game and post-game information.

Syracuse Vs. Rutgers: Orange Host Scarlet Knights In Big East Conference Opener

-- Check out SB Nation's Rutgers University blog On The Banks for more on the Scarlet Knights.
-- SB Nation's Syracuse University blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician covers everything Orange.